Toyota Highlander Complaints (2022)

234 consumer complaints on file.

#11744521June 16, 2026
SEATS
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH with a child seated in the rear passenger’s side seat with the seat back adjusted, while going around a roundabout, the vehicle was cut off by another vehicle, and the contact depressed the brake pedal aggressively to stop the vehicle. There was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the passenger’s side second-row seat, and the seat back moved or readjusted from the previous position. The contact slowed down to approximately 5 MPH to avoid the crash. The child remained secured in the car seat. There was no injury sustained. The vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V128000 (SEATS). The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but the part was not yet available for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 27,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11744456June 16, 2026
POWER TRAIN
System Failed -Transmission makes a high pitch whine, which Toyota has identified as a product manufacturing issue with the 2017-2022 V6 Highlander, but has not done anything to rectify the issue for those of us out of warranty. As this transmission issue usually doesn't start happening until 60,000 miles, unless you bought an extended warranty, you're out another $8K to $10K due to their negligence. Found this on Redit - Toyota knows the UA80F whines—it’s in TSB T-SB-0160-18 , T-SB-0008-21 and CSP ZJC. But unless your VIN’s on their cherry-picked list, they’ll play dumb. Safety Risk - Transmission stops working and car is inoperable. Reproduced - Yes, Toyota is aware that several cars are affected and doesn't care. Symptoms - Identified Symptoms are high pitched whine, rough shifting, transmission slippage, etc.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11744181June 15, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Transmission failure at 38,896 miles
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743886June 13, 2026
POWER TRAIN
I am having a problem on the transmission as described by the Geras Magazine: "The issue stems from a flawed assembly process involving the counter drive gear support. A locking tab meant to secure a vital retaining nut was not bent properly during factory assembly. This leads to gear movement, internal wear, whining, and eventually failure."
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743603June 11, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Nothing happened
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743402June 11, 2026
POWER TRAIN
2023 toyota highlander w AU80 transmission whinning noises when accelerating.69000K miles, serviced at Emerson Toyota, scheduled transmission check at 57000K miles, technician stated slight whinning was normal
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11742154June 4, 2026
SEATS
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V128000 (Seats); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the vehicle was used to transport children, and the unrepaired recall was a safety hazard. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741949June 3, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Whining sound, when acceleration
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741832June 3, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:ELECTRONIC LOCK/LATCH ACTUATOR
The only door that will lock or unlock using the fab key or the master lock button on the drivers armrest is the drivers side rear door. My vehicle is not able to be locked unless I do it manually and can not be unlocked unless i use the rear drivers side door. This has been reproduced by the dealership. There were no warning lamps or messages and no other symptoms. This has been going on for a month. I am being told by the dealership service department that 3 actuators failed at the same time. My lift gate also malfunctioned this year. Dealership diagnosed it with needing new struts. Not sure if this is related. Lift gate would not open or open only a small amount. This was using the inside button and the outside one as well.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11740609May 28, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
The contact's daughter owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the contact noticed an abnormal sound coming from the exterior of the vehicle. The driver pulled to a highway hot shop. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the upper side of the lower front bumper cover had detached and the cover was hanging and dragging. The contact secured the cover with strings and was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V720000 (Structure); however, the dealer refused to complete the recall repair due to collateral damage caused by the cover dragging. The vehicle was then taken to Toyota of Manhattan (679 11th Ave, New York, NY 10019), where the contact was denied assistance because the previous dealer had already opened a case. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739388May 21, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS
The contact owns a 2022 TOYOTA Highlander. The contact stated that the front upper bumper assembly is separating from the headlight on the passenger side, creating a noticeable gap on the fender portion directly below the headlight. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 23V720000 (STRUCTURE), however, the VIN was not included in the recall repair. The dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 32,827.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11738117May 15, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Motorized struts to lift and close the rear lift gate have failed. The struts do work to open the lift gate but they do not work to close it. Manually closing the lift gate is extremely difficult because of the electric motors inside of the struts. A known problem by Toyota as they have issued a TSB. Toyota’s solution is to replace the struts at a cost of $1200. My concern about this being a safety issue: Closing the lift gate after accessing the spare tire is extremely difficult. If my wife would inadvertently open the lift gate, which does work, after leaving the grocery store to put all of the groceries in the back, she would not have the strength to manually close it. Obviously, the vehicle cannot be driven with the open tail gate. This is not any different than if any of the doors could not be closed due to defective hinges. The premature failure of motorized struts is a fairly common problem with Highlanders. ToyotaNation, which is a Toyota sponsored forum for owners to communicate with other owners about issues/problems, contains numerous posts about the failure of motorized struts on the rear lift gate. Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11735085May 1, 2026
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING
Headlight system malfunction, Pre-collision system malfunction and LTA malfunction
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11735084May 1, 2026
AIR BAGS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
PKSB malfunction, LTA system malfunction, SRS system malfunction, Per-Collision system malfunction, Headlight system malfunction and Front camera unavailable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11734915April 30, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT
The power back door struts were not completely operational for about 6 months or more from the date of repair on 2/26/26. Therefore, the back hatch would not close without manipulating it by starting the vehicle and using the inside button to close it. There was also a loud grinding/whining noise each time we opened and closed the hatch. The dealer said it's a common problem and maybe the struts were blown out because we had to open the rear hatch to get a mobility scooter in and out . Since we were concerned that eventually the hatch would be stuck in the upright position permanately, we relented and paid to have the Toyota dealer replace the struts. The dealer said it may become a recall because it's so common.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11733925April 27, 2026
ENGINE
Goodwill Repair for my 2022 Highlander transmission whine, referencing TSB T-SB-0008-21。”
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11733272April 23, 2026
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
During very cold tempratures 25 F and below all windows fog up. Defroster is turned on but windows remain fogged. I can turn on rear defroster (electric grid) and clears back window. All windows fog so you cannot see out. With front defroster fan on high it will after a time (starting from the bottm) clear. Side windows on drivers and passenger side will some times clear. Not back passenger windows. Taken to dealer several times. Replaced thermostat. After more complaints dealer said there was no mechanical problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732479April 20, 2026
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving in inclement weather, water was leaking from the overhead console on the driver's side, where the sunglasses holder was located. Additionally, water stains were on the headliner above the driver’s side rear third row seats. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a fracture to the driver’s side roof rack attachment clip or a sealant interference. The vehicle was repaired with Part Number: 90467-08235. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732195April 19, 2026
AIR BAGS, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
During start up SRS airbag system malfunction, front camera unavailable, pre-collision system malfunction and LTA malfunction lights and warnings came on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11732194April 19, 2026
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
During start up LTA malfunction, Pre-Collision system malfunction and Headlight system malfunction lights and warning indicators came on.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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